Lake Lanier Fishing Report, October 18th, 2024
Lake Lanier Fishing Report | Bass Fishing Tips by Jeff Nail
Oct 18, 2024
Water Level: The lake is trending downward again and is currently sitting at 1.65ft BELOW full pool. This trend is likely to continue with no rain forecasted in the next 10-14 days.
Water temps have fallen to the upper 60s to low 70s. Temps should stabilize in this area with the higher afternoon temps that are forecasted for the next 7 days.
Water clarity: The main lake remains clear. However, there are signs of the turnover occurring in the backs of the major creeks and above hwy 53. The further anglers get off the main lake, the more stain/ color they are likely to find.
With the start of the turnover and the cooling water temps, the fall transition is in full swing. This is a double edged sword for me. On the bright side, fish can be caught doing a lot of different things. Anglers can fish their strengths in both depth ranges as well as presentations with a degree of confidence. On the not so bright side, fish can be scattered and not very aggressive. Not panicking and sticking with confidence baits/presentations has been key to my recent success.
Over the past couple of weeks, a wide range of baits have produced fish: Topwater, soft jerk baits, spinner baits, crank baits, jigs, and even the ole shaky head have all come into play.
One of the most consistent bites has been the Mini-Me spinnerbait bite. When the wind has blown, a 3/4oz Mini-Me with white blades fished over humps and points in 10-20ft of water has been a great producer for numbers of bites with a good mix of quality.
If anglers have FFS, they can look for schools of bass that are suspended in these areas and target them specifically. If anglers do not have FFS, fish these areas as you would with top water. Fan cast round the points and humps, and keep moving. Another key has been not to stay in one spot for too long. Often it is a one fish or even one bite and done situation.
For presentation, we have been letting the bait fall 3-10 seconds and then starting a steady retrieve back to the boat. We have NOT been burning the baits back. Just a steady retrieve that keeps the bait down in the water column.
Two colors have been most productive: Spot C-Ducer and Hilight. Both with painted blades.
A trailer hook can help with short strikes. I am currently using a Gamakatsu G-Stinger hook. This hook has a braided loop fixed to it which is girth hitched to the main hook on the bait. This allows the trailer hook to spin 360 degrees when a fish is hooked, reducing the chance that the bass can use the weight of the spinnerbait as leverage to throw the hook.
My spinnerbait setup is listed below.
Rod - St. Croix Victory/ Legend Tournament 7’5” MHF
Reel- SEVIIN GF
Line- 12lb Sunline Sniper
Knot- double pitzen
The daily videos I publish offer up to date current information on what I’m doing on the water. In these videos, I cover the conditions, part of the lake, and how I caught fish (or did not) for most days that I am on the water. All subscribers have access to all historical videos (330+ previous videos). You can sign up and view videos at https://jeffnail.uscreen.io There is also a folder of “free” videos that are accessible to anyone at any time free of charge.
I have dates available this upcoming week. After that, the next available dates will be in December which is a great time to learn the ditch bite. If you are interested in a trip, please reach out and I will get you on the calendar.
Jeff
770-715-9933
jeffnailfishing@gmail.com
jeffnail.uscreen.io
Jeffnailfishing.net
#stcroixrods #castfishingco #trixstercustombaits #gillfishing #Spotchoker #seviinreels #hammondsfishingcenter #dugoutbaitandtackle #talkintackle #SPROUSA, #Sprofishing
